Science fiction writer Kameron Hurley is the latest victim to naively offer to be interviewed by me. Already well-known for her award-winning essay ‘We Have Always Fought’, several successful series (including God’s War, Worldbreaker Saga, and Bel Dame Apocrypha), and the badass essay collection The Geek Feminist Revolution, her latest book, a standalone space opera, will be released next week (from Saga Press in the US and Angry Robot in the UK).

With feminism obviously being close to her heart, I talk to Kameron about how she incorporates gender equality in her writing – from dealing with ‘Social Justice Warrior’ backlash to writing women into military science fiction. Does Kameron come up with cool science fiction ideas first or are her stories borne out of characters? What is it that she loves most about great space operas? You’ll have to listen and find out!

You can read my full review of The Stars are Legion here.

Texts mentioned in this episode include:

  • Stranger Things – Netflix original series
  • Rogue One – Star Wars film
  • Alien – 70’s science fiction classic film
  • Ammonite by Nicola Griffith
  • When it Changed by Joanna Russ
  • Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
  • The Stars, My Destination by Alfred Bester
  • Appleseed by John Clute
  • Pandorum – film
  • Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer
  • Trouble on Triton by Samuel R. Delany
  • The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemison
  • Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee